William Leo Hansberry

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William Leo Hansberry (February 25, 1894—November 3, 1965) was a prominent African American scholar and lecturer. His was the older brother of real estate broker Carl Augustus Hansberry, and uncle of award-winning playwright Lorraine Hansberry.

[edit] Biography

Hansberry was born on February 25, 1894 in Gloster, Amite County, Mississippi.[1] He was the son of Elden Hayes and Pauline (Bailey) Hansberry.[2] His father taught history at Alcorn A&M in Lorman, Mississippi, but died when the younger Hansberry was only three years old.[3] He and his younger brother, Carl Augustus Hansberry, where raised by their stepfather, Elijah Washington.[4]

In 1915, he attended Atlanta University, where he was exposed to a new volume of essays on race (published by the university's Sociology Department), which served as a major influence on him.[5] Another big influence was the book, "The Negro" by W.E.B. DuBois. After, he purchased a copy of the book, he rushed to the school's library to refer to the references cited in the volume. To his dismay, Hansberry discovered Atlanta University's reference library to be sorely lacking. As a result, he left Atlanta University two weeks into his sophomore year to transfer to the best-equipped university he could find that would admit blacks. As a result, he began studies at Harvard University in February 1917.[6] where he completed his undergraduate studies in 1921.[7]

Upon his graduation from Harvard, Hansberry taught for a year at Straight College (now Dillard University) in New Orleans. In September 1922, Hansberry joined the faculty of Howard University where he started the African Civilization Section of the History Department.[8]

Hansberry received his Masters from Harvard in 1932. Additional post-graduate work was done at the University of Chicago, Oxford University and Cairo University.[9][10]

As a professor at Howard, Hansberry taught courses on African civilizations and cultures.[11] Among his students was the future Ghanaian revolutionary, Kwame Nkrumah. Nkrumah would later become the first prime minister and president of Ghana. Although his courses were very popular with students, two distinguished faculty members accused Hansberry of teaching subject matter without adequate research to support it. With the program and his job on the line, Hansberry presented the Board of Trustees with detailed documentation of his research. While he managed to save the African studies program, Hansberry's research funding was cut off and he would not receive tenure until 1938.[12]

Despite the extensive research he conducted over his lifetime, Hansberry was very reluctant to have his work published. James Williams, one of his former students and later at Senior Professor of African History at Howard, recalled in 1972 that when his students urged publication of his work, Hansberry would smile, but always firmly reply, "I am not ready yet."[13]Hansberry retired from Howard in June 1959.[14]

He married Myrtle Kelso (September 24, 1908—May 1980)[15] of Meridian, Lauderdale County, Mississippi,[16] in 1937 [17]daughter of Wiley and Mamie Kelso.[18] Two children were born to this union:

  • Gail Adelle Hansberry[19]
  • Myrtle Kay Hansberry[20]

While visiting relatives in Chicago, Hansberry died of a cerebral hemorrage on November 3, 1965,[21][22] the same cause of death as his brother.

In 1972, he finally received recognition from the university that had snubbed him when Howard named a lecture hall in his honor.[23]

[edit] References

  1. ^ World War I Draft Registration Card, Roll #1685072
  2. ^ http://www.africawithin.com/hansberry/hansberry_profile.htm Africawithin.com Biography
  3. ^ http://www.africawithin.com/hansberry/hansberry_profile.htm Africawithin.com Biography
  4. ^ 1910 U.S. Census, Amite County, Mississippi, household of Elijah Washington
  5. ^ http://www.africawithin.com/hansberry/hansberry_profile.htm Africawithin.com Biography
  6. ^ http://www.africawithin.com/hansberry/hansberry_profile.htm Africawithin.com Biography
  7. ^ William Leo Hansberry: Pioneer Africanist Scholar (1894-1965) by Runoko Rashidi
  8. ^ William Leo Hansberry: Pioneer Africanist Scholar (1894-1965) by Runoko Rashidi
  9. ^ Mississippi Writer's Page
  10. ^ William Leo Hansberry: Pioneer Africanist Scholar (1894-1965) by Runoko Rashidi
  11. ^ William Leo Hansberry: Pioneer Africanist Scholar (1894-1965) by Runoko Rashidi
  12. ^ http://www.africawithin.com/hansberry/hansberry_profile.htm Africawithin.com Biography
  13. ^ William Leo Hansberry, Teacher: As Seen by a Former Student by Chancellor James Williams, originally published in A Tribute to the Memory of Professor William Leo Hansberry, 1972, pp. 17-18
  14. ^ William Leo Hansberry: Pioneer Africanist Scholar (1894-1965) by Runoko Rashidi
  15. ^ Social Security Death Index
  16. ^ Passenger list of S.S. Aquitania, arriving in New York City on September 13, 1938. She's listed as Myrtle Kelso Hansberry with William Leo Hansberry, who is born on the same date and place as his World War I draft registration card.
  17. ^ http://www.africawithin.com/hansberry/hansberry_profile.htm Africawithin.com Biography
  18. ^ 1910 U.S. Census, Lauderdale County, Mississippi, household of Wiley Kelso
  19. ^ http://www.africawithin.com/hansberry/hansberry_profile.htm Africawithin.com Biography
  20. ^ http://www.africawithin.com/hansberry/hansberry_profile.htm Africawithin.com Biography
  21. ^ http://www.africawithin.com/hansberry/hansberry_profile.htm Africawithin.com Biography
  22. ^ Mississippi Writer's Page
  23. ^ http://www.africawithin.com/hansberry/hansberry_profile.htm Africawithin.com Biography

[edit] External links